Poppa's Corner

What to Cook for Every Skill Level

Father's Day is one of the biggest grilling days of the year, and the pressure to cook something great is real. The good news: you don't need to wrestle a whole brisket to impress anyone. The best ...

Big Poppa's Memorial Day Playbook

Memorial Day is the official kickoff to summer grilling — and for a lot of backyard cooks, it's the first time all year they're cooking for a crowd. Feeding 10 is one thing. Feeding 30 is a complet...

Your Memorial Day Menu

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer and the test case for every pitmaster's skills. Your guests are hungry, the weather is perfect, and expectations are high.

Drum Smoker & Charcoal Grill Maintenance

Drum smoker and charcoal grill maintenance isn't complicated, but it is non-negotiable if you want consistent temperature control and clean smoke all season. Big Poppa Smokers built our reputation ...

7 Rookie BBQ Mistakes Every Backyard Cook Makes (And How to Avoid Them)

Every backyard cook—whether you’re grilling burgers for the family or smoking ribs for the neighborhood—makes a few mistakes along the way. The good news? Most of them are easy to fix once you know...

How to Grill Fish & Seafood: Easy Tips for Perfect Results Every Time

Here’s the truth: fish and seafood are some of the easiest proteins you can cook on the grill when you know a few simple techniques. Once you learn how to control heat, choose the right seafood, an...

Smoked Chicken 101

This guide walks you through smoked chicken from start to finish using proven pitmaster techniques, simple seasoning strategies, and reliable temperature control. Whether you’re cooking for the fam...

How to Winterize Your Smoker

For BBQ enthusiasts, the arrival of winter doesn’t mean an end to smoking delicious meats. However, smoking in cold weather presents unique challenges. Winter-proofing your smoker ensures that it p...

10 Winter BBQ Tips

Most backyard cooks pack up their grills when temperatures drop. But winter BBQ isn’t a punishment—it’s a competitive edge. Cold air creates cleaner smoke, bark sets beautifully, and winter cooks s...

The Top 10 Thanksgiving Emergencies

Thanksgiving is all about family, food, and gratitude—but let’s be real, it’s also the Super Bowl of cooking stress. Things rarely go perfectly, and when they don’t, you need fast fixes. Here are t...

BBQ Lingo Explained: What Pitmasters Day (and What It Actually Means)

We’re breaking down the Top 11 BBQ phrases every backyard pitmaster, griller, or smoke-lover should know. With this lingo in your toolkit, you’ll sound like a pro—whether you’re at a cookout, compe...

5 Tools Every Griller Should Own

Pellet smoker, gas or charcoal grill, or flat-top griddle—different heat, same mission: cook incredible food with confidence. The secret isn’t more gadgets; it’s a tight kit of essentials you’ll re...

You Don’t Need to Know Everything—Just These 5 Things to Start Grilling

This guide is made for beginners. Whether you're firing up a charcoal grill for the first time or figuring out the difference between barbecue rubs and barbecue seasoning, this blog will help you g...

How to Cook a Full Meal on Your Grill

When the temperatures rise, the last thing anyone wants to do is crank up the oven and turn their kitchen into a sauna. But what if you could cook your entire meal—protein, sides, even dessert—righ...

How to Store, Reheat and Repurpose BBQ Leftovers

Whether you’ve hosted a backyard blowout or just overestimated how many ribs your family could eat, one thing’s for sure—leftover BBQ is a gift. But only if you know how to handle it. This guide is...

How to BBQ for a Crowd

At Big Poppa Smokers, we’ve helped backyard cooks become crowd-feeding heroes. This guide isn’t just about firing up a grill — it’s about turning a gathering into an experience. With the right plan...

Ultimate Guide to Reverse Searing on a Pellet Grill or Drum Smoker

You're holding the perfect steak in your hands—now it's time to cook it right. If you’ve ever wondered how pitmasters get that edge-to-edge pink perfection with a sizzling crust, welcome to the wor...

How to Cook a Pork Tenderloin

You’ve got a pork tenderloin in your hands and big plans for dinner—but now what? Whether you're staring at that beautiful cut wondering where to start, or you've overcooked pork once and swore you...